NORTH-EAST VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21829, 16 December 1932, Page 10

NORTH-EAST VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

• CHRISTMAS CANTATA. Continuing the jubilee celebrations of the North-East Valley Presbyterian Church, the choir gave a splendid rendering of, Peace’s Christmas cantata, “ The Morn of Glory,” before a large and appreciative audience. The choir, of which the church is justly proud, numbers over 50 voices, and careful and intelligent training was noticeable in the manner in which the various difficulties were approached and surmounted in this, by no means simple work. The singers were well balanced, with firm attack and release, and such choruses as “Arise, Shine,” and “Glory to God” were rendered with a brilliancy and ease that formed an excellent contrast to the simpler numbers —“ Holy Night,” “ Sleep. Holy Babe," and other more restrained choruses.

The solo work was divided among various members of the choir, and the efforts of these singers left no doubt in the minds of the audience that the choice of soloists had been wisely made. Miss P. Christie, who is the possessor of a clear, flexible voice of true soprano quality, was perfectly at home in the recitatives and solo work entrusted to her, and in “How Beautiful are the Feet” these qualities were admirably displayed. Miss Cora Buchan sang the solo part in the chorus “ Sleep. Holy Babe,” and scored a success with her simple rendering of this charming lullaby. Miss Moss took the contralto solos, and also sang, with Miss Christie, the duct “ Let Us Now Go.” She has a voice of considerable range, and her singing gave entire satisfaction. Mr Lewis Stewart was the tenor soloist, and his sympathetic singing of “The True Light’ and “The People That Walked in Darkness” showed careful preparation, the quality of Ins voice being well suited to the legato nature of his music. The bass solos wore in the capable hands of Mr W. H. Mason, who sang with dignity and understanding the words spoken in the Scriptures by Simeon. Mr Robert K. Macfic (organist and choirmaster) conducted from the console, and was at all times considerate and helpful, to the singers—making full use of the varied resources of the beautiful instrument the church possesses. The Rev R. E. Evans expressed the thanks of those present for the very tine rendering of the cantata. At the close of the performance present choir members entertained past members and their friends at supper, when a pleasant hour was spent. At this closing function the present choir members presented Mr Mncfie, the choirmaster with an enlarged framed photograph of the choir. The Rev. George Miller, in making tlie presentation, referred to the high esteem in which Mr Macfic is held by the choir, and also by the congregation. Mr Macfic suitably responded. Besides the special services on Sunday the remaining jubilee functions are a garden party at “ Chmgford, the residence of Mr P. C Neill on Saturday afternoon and. Sunday school night on Saturday evening.